We all know there are many forms
of disability. Both physical and mental health disabilities exist in
varying forms and degrees of severity.
Some disabilities are obvious to
the human eye. This applies in both physical appearance and
behavioural patterns demonstrated by the disabled person.
The obvious signs of disability
gives us the observer, clues that enable us to empathise or not,
as is often the case in these times of 'turning a blind eye'. But
for those of us who still retain the ability to care in empathy with
those less fortunate people in our society, these clues and
indicators of physical disability/handicaps, help us to understand
and consider the difficulties that disability gives rise to for these
people on an every day basis.
We realise for instance that someone in a wheel chair may need help in maintaining their general
well-being, hygiene and overall health. This extra help is vital and
will usually incur extra expense. Expense that would usually be met
by the public purse.
Should this be the case? Or
should we as a society ignore this disabled persons specific needs in order to save money?
In a 'Civilised' Society the only
answer can be 'Yes'. We should take care of others less able,
who suffer such obvious disability that affects a person so
dramatically.
On the other hand! If we say,
'No!' it is not our concern, let that disabled person fend for
themselves. Why should we i.e. 'Society' foot the bill? We must
accept the collective responsibility of creating an environment where disabled people cannot thrive, or indeed, even maintain their
most basic human rights of a right to a home, a family, a social
life, nor afford the basic human right to dignity.
As a 'Decent' and caring society, what choice
do we have? I would hope we have no choice but to agree that as a
society, 'Everyone' whether able or disabled, physically or
mentally has the right to a certain quality of life.
Now!
What about those people who have an unseen disability? Those less
obvious conditions that leave the victim visually unblemished?
Physical disabilities such as R.S.I (Repetitive Strain/Stress
Injury), sometimes referred to as Upper Limb Disorders, or
Fibromyalgia, or Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia, or other nerve
conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, M.E etc. etc. etc....
See
here for a more complete list
http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/invisible/
The list is long. Some of these
'Invisible Disabilities' are emotionally based and some are centred
in the body and relate to the nervous system. I expect everyone can list at least six health issues that their friends, family and
colleagues, more often than not, suffer in silence from, that fit this
category.
What should society do about
people who suffer from these less obvious disabilities?
As far as I can see we have two
choices.
- We accept that they exist and desist from judging these disabled people. We accept that these people may need help at certain times and in certain aspects of their daily lives, to enable them to live with a degree, accepted by everybody, of a certain quality of life. In doing so, we as a society will usually have to pay for the help that these disabled people may need in order to maintain their basic human right to a home, a family, a social life, and their dignity.
Or,
- We ignore these disabled people. We refuse to accept these unseen disabilities. We allow others to demoralise, stigmatise, vilify and degrade these people in the public eye. We become rigid. We become cold. We become an insular society where only the fittest and the strongest survive. We become a society where those in authority can express the view that disabled babies should be put down at birth, or disabled people are being selfish and should be willing to be killed off to benefit their carers, families and by doing so, save the public expense.I know what sort of society I want to live in, do you?If your answer is a caring and compassionate society that does not judge what they do not understand, then please respect the disabled. Support them in their homes and communities and try to understand by learning about the difficulties they have to face in living their lives on a day to day basis.
See
here for etiquette and good manners relating to disabled people
http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/invisible/manners.php
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